Eugene Ahn says | Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 1:15AMHmm, mythology. Handstanding must be from the realm of Hermes the trickster. Hermes is one of the few gods who moves in both the above world and the below world. He invented the lyre and it symbolizes an instrument that allows us to express the moving power of soul. As scholar David Tacey notes, "Hermes awards Apollo the lyre which will bring a universe of lyricism, poetry and rhythm into the psychic domain of this solar and upright God." Stuffy Apollo even calls upon the brilliance of inversions when he beats Marsyas in a contest of musicianship. By turning his lyre upside down and playing a tune just as masterfully, Apollo demonstrates a prowess that is simply beyond this upright world. This brings to mind the antics of Jimi Hendrix, another master performer who could play his instrument upside down.

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